Where to Stay

Montpellier is a young city, due to a population that is mostly composed of international students, and it has a rich and historical inheritance. It comes as no surprise therefore to find so many different kinds of hotels in this city; different prices and architectural styles, which range from old town houses to superb, modern buildings.

The most luxurious hotel is Le Jardin des Sens, a marvelous place in the heart of the city, with a rich mahogany decor. The hotel restaurant is one the most famous in France, and a good reason to spend your stay in Montpellier in this hotel.

If you are looking for a quiet but central place, Hôtel du Parc enjoys both these attributes. Situated in a calm quarter of Montpellier, this hotel is like an oasis in the city center. A former eighteenth-century manor house, it has been totally renovated to include comfortable rooms and a superb garden.

There are several hotels in the city center, not far from the railway and bus stations, and only minutes from the city's main square, La Place de la Comedie. Due to its structure, this square is called l'oeuf (egg) by the population—it is the heart of the city and an excellent meeting place, too. The most striking of these central hotels is the Hôtel Sofitel Antigone, an impressively-tall pyramidal building. It is situated right next to the city's biggest shopping mall, the Polygone. If you stay in the upper floors, you'll enjoy a view over the whole town. Another large hotel in the city center is the Hôtel Mercure Montpellier Antigone. This hotel is situated in the quarter of Antigone, and offers a luxurious and well-furnished interior. Why not take a dip in the nearby Olympic swimming pool or visit the city's new library? Both are only a couple of minutes from the hotel. You can take refreshments in the hotels bar and restaurant after your tour of the historic quarter. The Inter Hôtel Montpellier is another good centrally-located option. The railway and bus stations are just moments away, and the town center is easily accessible on foot. There are several more moderately-priced hotels in the center of town. The more popular ones are the Royal Hôtel next to the Comedie, the Hôtel de la Comedie, just by the historic quarter, and the Hôtel Le Mistral, situated in a small street leading directly to the Place de la Comedie.

Several hotel chains have chosen to establish themselves in Montpellier and its environs. Campanile have four hotels in the city, one to the east right in the Millenaires Parc (Hôtel Campanile Montpellier Est Le Millenaire), one to the north next to the little town of Saint-Clement de Rivière (Hôtel Campanile Montpellier Nord Saint-Clement de Rivière), another one to the south, only 10 minutes from the sea (Hôtel Campanile Montpellier Sud Centre), and the last one to the west, next to Saint-Jean de Vedas (Hôtel Campanile Montpellier Ouest Saint-Jean de Vedas). All these hotels have meeting rooms and well-appointed bedrooms.

The Ibis chain proposes four hotels in Montpellier too. Two of them are situated right in the center (IBIS Montpellier Centre) and next to the Place de la Comedie (IBIS Suites Montpellier Place de la Comedie). The two others are situated in the south not far from the sea (IBIS Montpellier Sud), and by the city of Fabrègues, in the west of Montpellier (IBIS Montpellier Fabrègues).

The Novotel Montpellier, in the south of the city, has a comfortable atmosphere, and is close to the sea. The rooms are spacious and well furnished, and ten conference rooms are available.

If you prefer to self-cater, Montpellier has two residential Citadines Apart Hotels. The first one is situated in the north of the city, in the students' quarter, next to the university's science and arts faculties (Citadines Apart Hôtel Montpellier Sainte-Odile). The other one is more centrally located in the futuristic Antigone quarter (Citadines Apart Hôtel Montpellier Antigone).

The nearby beaches of the Mediterranean are a highlight of any stay in Montpellier. There are several spas only 10 kilometers from the city center, which offer well-equipped, comfortable hotels. The Palavas-les-flots spa offers visitors a seaside holiday. The Hôtel Le Grand Large and the Hôtel Le Tanagra are two other comfortable and reasonably-priced options. The small town of Carnon is another spa, only a few minutes from the center of Montpellier. Here you can choose between the Hôtel Helios or the Le Gedeon for your holiday; both are well furnished and comfortable.

Montpellier has its own international airport. Businessmen and tourists requiring a hotel by the airport have a choice of two. The Air Hôtel and the Hôtel Lamira offer a comfortable stay and conference rooms.

Finally, for golfers and sportsmen, there's a great hotel not far from the city. The Golf Hôtel Blue Green Fontcaude, next to the small town of Juvignac, only five kilometers from Montpellier, offers golf holidays. An 18 hole "international" golf course and a 9 hole course are available, and you can book golf lessons and courses for all levels. After a round, why not relax in the hotel swimming pool? Conference rooms are available too.